This course is the clinical practicum for NURS 724, Advanced Family Nursing: Acute Illness Across the Lifespan (theory) in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program, Family Nurse Practitioner track.

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

This clinical course will provide a minimum of 90 hours of clinical practice experience with community preceptors including but not limited to NPs, MDs, DOs, and PAs practicing in the community with the focus of acute illness in primary care across the lifespan.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The non-clinical portions of the course will be online to facilitate communication between faculty & students and may incorporate faculty/student directed discussions, reading assignments, and written work which will include clinical logs. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms and other instructional technology strategies may be used for communication purposes. In addition it may include but not limited to: video demonstration(s) with consenting patients of various components demonstrating appropriate clinical decision making of the evaluation and management of patient care across the lifespan.

Goals and Objectives of this Course

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making.
2. Assess, diagnose, monitor, coordinate, and manage the health status of culturally diverse clients, families, and groups over time in varied settings.
3. Communicate the client’s health status verbally or in writing, using appropriate terminology and format.
4. Provide anticipatory guidance for expected changes in health status and life changes and situations.
5. Apply principles of epidemiology and demography in clinical practice.
6. Use community assessment in evaluating client needs and program planning.
7. Apply/develop a theory-based conceptual framework to guide practice.
8. Apply/conduct research studies pertinent to primary care management.

Assessment Measures

May include but are not limited to: Preceptor and faculty evaluation of clinical performance, completion of clinical logs, case studies; quizzes, and student presentations, and other strategies including using available technology for direct observation of clinical practice.